April 7-13 2019 is National Volunteer Week in Canada and here at the St Williams Conservation Reserve we wish to send out a huge thank you to the numerous stewardship volunteers that come out to the reserve throughout the year to help with the tasks that allow us to maintain the CR and improve Species at Risk habitat. Our volunteer base is what makes many of our projects possible!
The St Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council hosts work bees in the CR during the year, usually in the spring and fall, and invites volunteers to come help with large projects. Without the help of our devoted volunteers, there is no way these projects could be completed.
When a project arises, our coordinator. Audrey Heagy, decides when the best time to complete the work will be. Audrey factors in weather and forest conditions to make the decision as to when will be the best time to perform the needed work in the CR. Due to the changeable nature of weather, sometimes work bees are held on very short notice. Despite the lack of notice, our volunteers willingly show up ready to pitch in and lend a hand.
Over the course of the year there are many activities taking place in the CR. Some of the work that is done is contracted out to professionals but the work that is done by our volunteers is critically important for the health and sustainability of the CR. Some of the work that our volunteers do includes:
- garbage clean up
- invasive species removal
- trail maintenance
- removal of unwanted trees
- seed harvesting
- assistance with prescribed burning
The CR has already held one work bee in 2019 and there are more scheduled for March 24th and April 13th. The CR provides tools and gloves, but you are encouraged to bring your own.
Continue to watch the SWCR social media channels for more updates and for opportunities for you and your family to come out to the CR and help make a difference!
